NAN-DS-8
Road
By Harrison Arubu
Abuja, March 28, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is “really worried’’ by the behaviour of road users in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Oghenekaro, expressed the concern in Abuja on Tuesday when the new Controller of Prisons in the territory, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, visited him.
Oghenekaro stated that disobedience to traffic rules and regulations is rampant in the territory, noting that it paints a bad picture of the country’s federal capital.
Cue in audio 1 (Oghenekaro)
“What you see here should represent the ideal and what you should expect in other parts of the country.
“And that is why we are really worried about road users’ behaviour in the FCT; we are really really worried.
“ You see taxis stopping at road intersections to pick passengers; gentlemen and ladies well-dressed waiting for taxis on top of bridges.
“We see supposedly educated persons in suit and ladies in what they know to do best crossing the road directly under the foot bridge.
“Ordinarily, when you see such situation you will think people require psychiatric attention. This represents a very bad picture of a federal capital territory.
“We do arrest continually but the arrest will not change the people’s behaviour.
“ That is why the FRSC focuses more on public enlightenment and uses enforcement as the last option.’’
Cue out audio 1
The sector commander stated that the corps has embarked on an expansive public enlightenment campaign in the territory to address the situation.
He said the formation of road safety clubs in primary and secondary schools was an attempt at tackling the situation at the basis.
According to him, the FRSC and the Nigerian Prisons Service perform similar functions of behavioural change and reformation of law offenders hence the need for collaboration.
He pledged the commitment of his command to a harmonious working relationship with the Nigerian Prisons Service.
Earlier, Nwakuche had said the visit was part of his familiarisation tour of prison facilities and sister agencies in the territory.
Cue in audio 2 (Nwakuche)
“Upon assumption of duty I visited all these prisons to be familiar with my facility.
“After visitation to these facilities I felt I should also visit some critical sectors that help my job, which I know FRSC is one of them.
“I don’t make light of the relationship that has already existed between the Nigeria Prisons Service and the road safety, I don’t make light of that synergy.
“Somebody will say what has prison got to do with road safety? A lot because even if somebody does not have a vehicle, we walk on the road. So road safety is all encompassing.’’
Cue out audio 2 (NAN)
ARU/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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